Build - Work Computer

[guygrim]

Good day folks;

Been a while since I posted here... I am looking to build a computer for work. I checked Dell, I can buy something decent from them for $700 - 800, but I really don't trust them. I went to Compusa and looked at some basic Compaqs, but I don't have good feeling aboout them either...

So I am left with building a basic Work computer:

What are your recommendations for a Motherboard. Price is a big factor. Can't spend more than $600 - $ 700, because I still need XP and Office.

uses: Word, Excel, Access and Quickbooks - some email and web surfing.. that is pretty much it.

I would like a Mobo with Video / Audio On Board. I am not married to either AMD or Intel.

Thanks for the help.

[Spirit]

Originally Posted by guygrim Good day folks; Been a while since I posted here... I am looking to build a computer for work. I checked Dell, I can buy something decent from them for $700 - 800, but I really don't trust them. I went to Compusa and looked at some basic Compaqs, but I don't have good feeling aboout them either... So I am left with building a basic Work computer: What are your recommendations for a Motherboard. Price is a big factor. Can't spend more than $600 - $ 700, because I still need XP and Office. uses: Word, Excel, Access and Quickbooks - some email and web surfing.. that is pretty much it. I would like a Mobo with Video / Audio On Board. I am not married to either AMD or Intel. Thanks for the help.

Hm.... well, for the processor, I would choose Intel Pentium D 805 or AMD Athlon X2 3800+. They are both dual-core, yet pretty affordable. Since you have the money in your budget, the X2 3800+ would probably be better: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103562

For a lot of builds, there is one case many people recommend, and I'll back it up. The Antec SONATA II is a good case - but it also comes with a quality power supply. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129155

Here's an example of a motherboard that is Socket 939, but features onboard video: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131570 It's Micro ATX, and I'm not 100% sure that it fits in normal ATX cases, but I think it does? Correct me if I'm wrong.

I'd advise getting 1GB of ram for starters, something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145440

Of course you'll need an optical drive. A combo drive like this would be nice: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827152058

Last, you'll need a hard drive. How about a 160GB sata drive, something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822144415

I'm just doing this as a general idea. You can always switch around brands, maybe even upgrade some stuff - cause this ends up to be about over $500 in the end.

[Alaron]

Spirit's list looks good. The micro-ATX board will fit in the Sonata. The only changes I suggest are a Lite-On DVD burner because it comes with burning software. I would also go with a hard drive with a 16mb cache instead of 8mb, for a bit of a boost.

[glc]

The Intel alternative would be a P5LD2-VM board with Corsair Value Select DDR2 ram - either DDR2-533 or DDR2-667, whichever is cheaper. The 805 screams in an office box - I have a customer with one and it's the fastest CAD machine in the joint - even faster than their 3.2 GHz Northwood box.